Beginning of winter and Advent: The magic of traditions in December!

Beginning of winter and Advent: The magic of traditions in December!

The first of December is here and that not only means the official start of winter, but also the time of the Advent calendar. These special calendars, which count the days until Christmas, have a long history and are an integral part of many households. In December, reflections and good resolutions alternate as the days get shorter and the nights get longer. This is also the time when the dark season reaches its peak before the first signs of light return. Meteorology also defines the start of winter as December 1st, which many find to be impractical for temperature statistics. But that doesn't diminish the anticipation of the holidays.

But how did these colorful doors come about that children and adults look through with great joy? As the Adventskalender.de describes, the roots of this tradition go back to the time when families hung 24 pictures with Christmas motifs on the walls or painted chalk lines on the door. Over the years, different forms of Advent calendars developed, and eventually self-made Advent trees emerged, to which small flags or stars were attached every day. In Catholic families, well-behaved children were even allowed to put a straw in the crib every day. This tradition is still maintained in many monastery schools today.

Diversity of traditions

Interestingly, Advent has developed very differently in different regions. In our neighborhood, for example, we know the “ladder to heaven,” in which the Christ child moves down one rung every day. Advent candles, which are divided into 24 sections and are burned until the next marker, are also very popular in Scandinavia. The Advent calendars have a connection to various cultural customs and are colorful companions through the contemplative time of the year.

With the advent of industrially produced calendars in the early 1900s, the Advent calendar experienced a real boom. This trend was particularly well received in Germany, not least because more and more people wanted to combine the anticipation of Christmas with a small daily gift or sweet. Thanks to this development, Advent calendars are now widespread and popular not only for children, but also for adults.

A modern view of Advent

In modern times, Advent calendars have evolved. They are more than just counting the days until Christmas. With sleek designs and diverse themes such as cosmetics and toys, they offer a modern approach to traditional customs. They are particularly popular among the local population - not only for the little ones, but also for adults who are young at heart and enjoy the contemplative time.

In summary, the festive mood when exploring the Advent calendars remains unbroken this year. This time of year shows again and again how much joy the simplest opening of a door can bring. The anticipation is unbroken and the tradition lives on in many forms - so the Advent calendar remains a popular cultural asset not only in Bavaria, but far beyond.